The case apparently involves advanced technology about a portable nuclear bomb contained on flash drives and a body buried in a wall in London twenty years previously. Quinn is initially tasked to go to Los Angeles. He notices that there are two Russians, Petra and Kolya, at the scene. Quinn follows Petra and takes her picture only to see her again after being flown by private jet to Maine for the next part of the assignment.

Quinn confronts Petra who reveals a group picture from many years ago which includes the two targets and information that these people are being eliminated by the "Ghost" whom Petra and friends are tracking for atrocities committed in the old Soviet Union.

Quinn learns that someone is investigating his background. He enlists his apprentice Nate who is back after losing part of his leg on the prior assignment and his soul mate, Orlando, his tech agent. Together and ultimately with Petra, they hunt the “Ghost.“

While not his best, Battles still provides action and intrigue but not as much as readers have come to expect from the earlier books. The Silenced will keep you involved with enough twists and turns. A good but not a great read.

--Jerry Solot